The Girl In The Background – A Young Sherlock Holmes Story

(Part 3)

When my eyes blinked open the next morning, the first things I registered were warm arms around me and a strong, firm chest against my cheek. "Mmh…Sherlock. Good morning." I looked up at my friend with cheeks flushed from warmth and sleep. Slowly, I sat up, and he gave me a warm smile, grabbing my hand. "Stay," he whispered, and I just nodded, slipping back down into bed next to him. Sherlock looked positively gorgeous, with his straight, black hair tousled and his genuine smile. He turned onto his side and gave my forehead a tender, gentle kiss. "Good morning," he added.

Suppressing a soft yawn, I turned to face him. "Thanks for last night," I smiled, "I feel a lot better."
"Good – that's…really good." He smiled back, and it made my heart flutter uncontrollably. Playing thoughtfully with my hair, he looked at the intricately carved grandfather clock standing against the wall. "Nine already? I should be getting back. Aunt Anna will be wondering where I am."

"Of course," I nodded, kissing his cheek softly, "would you like breakfast before you go?" He shook his head.
"No, thank you. I ate yesterday," he answered, sitting up and running his fingers casually through his own hair. I looked up at him perhaps a little too adoringly, making him grin, "Will you be alright on your own?" he asked.

"Yes. Yes, of course," I quickly sat up too, pinning up my hair and getting out of bed, "I'll, uhm – show you out, shall I?" Standing up, he straightened out his clothes and followed me to collect his jacket. I handed it to him with a smile, and stole another kiss to his cheek. Thanking me with a wink, he brushed my hand with his lips and then bolted off – possibly to get home before his aunt and uncle started worrying. I watched him with a fond smile until he was out of sight, then closed the door and took a deep breath. Wow. Had all that really happened?

The next morning, Sherlock came by to drop off his sister again. "Hi," I said, opening the door and giving him a warm smile.
"Hello." He gently kissed my hand as always, eyes sparkling with mirth. "How are you feeling? Better, I presume?"
"Much, thank you for asking." Lily looked between us with an absorbing expression, trying to make some connection, and I chuckled. Picking her up and resting her on my hip, I gave her cheek a brief nuzzle, "Hello, darling."

"Hello! Sherlock said you weren't well the day before yesterday, so he stayed the night with you. Are you okay?"
"Absolutely fine, he took good care of me," I smiled, looking over at her brother, who had turned an adorable shade of red. "Sherlock – would you like to come in?" "I'm terribly sorry, but…" Lily gave him a pointed look, and he rephrased, "okay. Yes, I'd love to."

Laughing, I let him in too, and he gently closed the door behind him before following me in. "Make yourselves at home," I nodded, showing them into the drawing room. Even though it was early, the curtains were drawn there and a fire crackled in the hearth. A moment later, I joined them with tea for Sherlock and myself and freshly-made apple juice for his little sister.

Sherlock sat on the settee while I sat by his feet amongst a pile of cushions on the floor, and Lily sidled up to me with a small smile. "Rosella?" she asked in a small voice. "Mm?" I turned to her immediately, having been previously distracted by my friend's movements as he adjusted the cuff of his shirt.
"Will you teach me to dance?" she asked. "You were really good at the ball. You taught Matty really quickly."

"I'd love to teach you," I smiled, "maybe when Matty comes over, I will."
"Why can't you teach me now?"
"Because you're so little, I need a dance partner to help me demonstrate," I laughed, watching a little pout appear on her face.
"I'm not little. But anyway, Sherlock's here!" she said.

Her brother looked a bit flustered, "Ah – Lily, I'd love to help Rosella out, but I promised Virginia I would – "
"No." Lily said stubbornly, shaking her head, "You're not going riding with Virginia today. If you leave, I'm not talking with you ever again." Exasperated, Sherlock huffed, "Fine, okay. Lily, I can just see you as one of those impossible suffragettes in the future."

Giggling with triumph, the cheeky little girl ran over and seated herself at my piano, and started playing. Sherlock shook his head with a fond smile and turned to me. I must have looked vacant – my mind was, in fact, elsewhere (perhaps for the knowledge that Sherlock would have much rather gone riding with Virginia if Lily had not made him stay) – for he gently took both of my hands in his, "In that case, may I have this dance?"

Looking up into his all-seeing grey eyes, I felt a smile tug at my lips and I nodded, allowing myself to be swept up into strong, protective arms as he brought us into sync with the gorgeous melody I had taught Lily to play. She, like Sherlock, was turning out to be a very talented musician. Could he really not know that I loved him, and had for years? If he knew, would he be disgusted? Perhaps he would never come see me again, if he found out. I didn't know what I would do if that happened.

Knowing the words to the song off by heart, and realising Lily was almost up to the chorus, I began singing softly.

"Tell me why I'm not sleeping
and my heart is leaping inside me…
Could this be one of those times
when your feelings decide?"

To my surprise, Sherlock joined in, and his voice was smooth and perfect as ever;

"I need to know these answers,
I need to find my way…
Seize my tomorrow,
learn my yesterday.
I need to take these chances,
let all my feelings show…
Can't tell what's waiting

Still I need to go…
I need to know…"


Hey everyone! Wow! I am really astounded by the response to this! GO YOUNG SHERLOCK FANS! :D Thank you all so much! I will try and update more often now that I am on holidays for a short time. In my Johnlock story, 'The Things I Do For You, Sherlock Holmes!' I have given everyone who has reviewed, followed or favourited a mention so far. You guys are all amazing! Please check that story out – it's really fluffy and sweet (as I've been reliably informed ;) ), and I will update it soon! For my wonderful guest reviewers, thank you as well! Please PM me if you'd like to rp or co-author a fanfic with me, and to the lovely reviewer who asked: I will be reading Snakebite shortly. How is it?! By the way, the song in this chapter is called I Need To Know, by Melissa Lyons. Yours, SherlockedSherlockian xxx